Labor harmonization perception: case of a private higher education institution in Mexico

This research addresses the perception of labor harmonization in a private Higher Education Institution in Mexico. Through the social representations method, 9 focus groups were conducted with the participation of 42 members of management committees, whose main findings deal with the meaning of labor harmonization, how it is theoretically understood and advocated, and how difficult it is to conduct it. Some factors involved in achieving this were discovered: children and caregivers, marital status and workloads. Some elements that promote it within the institution are: flexible schedules, support networks made up of the family, the boss and the work team, as well as the presence of a woman president. Drawbacks to its implementation have also emerged. Some strategies, strengths, challenges and areas of opportunity were identified in the interviewees. Undoubtedly, progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go, thus glimpsing that labor harmonization continues to be a challenge that requires co-responsibility between women and men, where they converge in a machinery that leads them to live in harmony in all the dimensions of their lives, since the way to approach it must be done with no confrontation or guilt, but in synergy with all those involved. ©The authors ©International Review of Sociology © Informa UK Limited.